Medical case or the like



March 8, 1938. H. s. FOOTE MEDICAL CASE OR THE LIKE.

Filed Oct. 8, 19s

m 5 V g F I k a Harald/5 005B,

Patented Mar. 8, 1938 UNITED STATES FATE OFFIEE 1 Claim.

The present invention relates to medicament kits, and more inparticular to cases for holding ampoules and the like.

Among the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel case adapted to hold a plurality of ampoules in spaced relation and to prevent their displacement, yet permitting ready removal thereof as desired.

Cases of the kind with which the present application is concerned have been provided, but the objectionable feature to such cases is that the ampoules, which are constructed of frangible material such as glass or the like, may become dislodged or displaced within the case, thereby resulting in considerable breakage and loss of the material contained thereinwhich is usually expensive and must be handled with extreme care. I

The present invention is directed particularly to novel means for effectively holding the frangible vials or ampoules in a fixed location within the case to prevent their movement and displacement, thereby eliminating entirely breakage from such causes, with the resultant loss.

More particularly, the present invention comprehends the: idea of providing novel retaining means in a case for holding these vials or ampoules in, spaced relation, such means being so constructed and arranged relative to the vials that the vials, although effectively retained in position, are readily removed for use when desired. r

Still another object oi" the present invention is to provide a novel case as outlined above which incorporates in combination a spring-pressed member cooperating with a portion of the body of the case to retain an implement particularly adapted for use in fracturing the frangible dispensing portion'or end of the vials or ampoules for discharge of the material contained therein.

Other objects, features, capabilities and advantages are comprehended by the invention, as will later appear and as are inherently possessed thereby. I 7

Referring to the drawing:

Figure -1 is atop plan view of an ampoule case in open position, such case embodying the pres ent invention;

Figure 2 is a view in cross-section taken in the plane represented by line 2-2 of Figure l of the drawing;

Figure 3 is a view in cross-section taken in. the planes represented by line 3-3 of Figure 1 of the drawing; and

Figure 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view through the case disclosed in Figure 1 of the drawing, the same being disclosed in closed position.

Referring now more in detail to the drawing, an embodiment selected to illustrate the present invention is disclosed as comprising a case 2 which is formed with two body members 4 and 5 which are of like construction, each being formed from compressed fibrous material or the like and having the rear walls 8 and i0 and the side walls i2, i4, i6 and I8 to form receptacle compartments generally designated as and 22, respectively. These body members are flexibly connected by means of a hinge element 24 secured to the adjacent side walls I8 thereof, such=- hinge member in the present illustrative embodiment comprising a finishing strip of leather which may be of the artificial variety if so desired.

Inasmuch as the construction of the body I members is substantially the same in respect to the essential features of the present case, specific reference will therefore be made only to the body member ill. As clearly disclosed in the drawing, the compartment 22 of body member ill serves to hold a pliu'ality of ampoules which, in the present instance, are: of one cc. capacity, and a plurality of ainpouies 2B which, likewise for the purpose of illustration, are of two cc. capacity. The ampoules 25 and 28 are of similar construction and comprise a base or body portion 36 adapted to hold a quantity of fluid, which portion at one end terminates in the restricted frangible end or discharge portion 32.

As is well known, ampoules or vials of the construction disclosed herein are used for holding, under sealed conditions, various serums and other fluids used by the medical profession for injection intraveneously into the body and are usually very expensive, and it is accordingly necessary to carefully provide against breakage wit-h the resulting loss not only from the standpoint of expense, but also from the standpoint of losing the fluid which might be necessary in emergency cases. The present case construction amply provides for the prevention of loss through breakage of the vials or ampoules. y

Disposed in cooperative relation with the rear wall Ill of the body member E is a plurality of partition members 34 which are formed with an. upstanding leg 36 disposed substantially at right angles to the rear wall IE) and the leg 38 which is disposed in close association with this rear wall. The partition members 34 are provided for the ampoules 28, whereas partition members of similar construction are provided for the ampoules 26, the only difference between these partition members being that members 46 are shorter than members 34 and are particularly designed for embracing the base or body portion of the smaller ampoules 26, whereas the partition members 34 are designed to provide the proper space or individual compartment for the larger size ampoules 28 and to embrace the body or base portion thereof.

As shown in the drawing, the inside of the compartment 22 adjacent the rear wall l0 may be provided with a finishing strip of material 42, which may be velveteen or the like, this finishing strip extending over the base flange 33 of the partition members, as well as the leg or upstanding fiange 36 thereof, this material serving not only as a finishing strip, but also as a cushioning means to prevent breakage of the vials or ampoules. The vials are prevented from becoming displaced longitudinally within the individual compartment provided therein between the partition members by means of an abutment member 44 which extends between the side wall l4 and the ends of the partition members 34 and 40 throughout the entire length of the compartment 22 between the walls I2 and i6. This abutment member 44 is covered with velveteen, or other surface finishing material, the ends of the same being secured in place between the abutment member and the rear wall, as shown at 45. This abutment member may be of any suitable material, such as compressed fibrous material or the like, and the same is secured in place to the rear wall so that it forms an abutment engaging the base or body portion of the ampoules 2B and 28 adjacent the frangible dispensing end thereof, thus preventing movement of the ampoules longitudinally with respect to their individual compartments.

The ampoules are further retained in position by means of an abutment 48 which has a leg 50 secured to the side wall l8 and a leg 52 which extends inwardly from the side wall and overhangs the individual compartments for the ampoules and which is adapted to cooperate with the body or base portion thereof to prevent displacement ,of the same in a direction normal to the rear wall Ill. The leg 52 preferably overhangs the individual compartment for the ampoules a sufiicient amount to assure against displacement of the ampoules, yet not enough to prevent their ready removal when desired. The extent of this overhanging can be determined as desired, depending upon the size of the particular ampoules, and it is also to be pointed out that the extent of overhanging of the leg 52 is not sufficient to cover up or obscure the labels usually attached to the vials or ampoules which designate the character of the fluid contained therein.

As is well known, the discharge end of these ampoules is of frangible material and it is customary to break or fracture the same by means of an implement provided with a roughened surface which serves as a file for scratching the frangible tip or end to assist in the fracturing thereof. In order to retain such an implement within the present case, a spring steel member leather which may also extend over the surface of the abutment members 48 which are exposed to View.

As shown in Figure 4 of the drawing, the body members 4 and 6 may be moved into superimposed relation, one forming the closure member for the other to provide against the ingress of dirt, dust, etc. Any suitable means may be provided for holding these two body members in superimposed relation, but in the present embodiment a flexible locking member 62 is provided and is secured to the edge adjacent the intersection of the side wall l4 and the rear wall ll! of the body member 6, this flexible locking member 62 being formed to overlap the rear wall 1..

8 of body member 4, suitable securing means in the form of snaps 64 being provided for securing the edge of this locking member to the rear wall 8 to hold the case in closed position.

Although the illustrative embodiment of the invention comprehends a case having oppositely disposed compartments for ampoules, nevertheless a single compartment is contemplated, in which case either one of the body members 4 or 6 would be used in conjunction with a suitable closure element which would extend over the opening of the compartment and be secured in place by any suitable locking means.

While I have herein described and upon the drawing shown an illustrative embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may comprehend other constructions, arrangements of parts, details and features without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

A case for medicaments, comprising a body member having a rear wall and side walls disposed to provide a compartment for a plurality of ampoules formed with an enlarged fluid holding base portion and a restricted discharge portion, partition members disposed substantially in normal relation to said rear wall and extending inwardly from one of said side walls in spaced relation to provide compartments for each of said ampoules, a member disposed between the side wall opposite said first-named side wall and the ends of said partition members to provide depressed recesses between said partitions and abutment means cooperating with said ampoules at the base portion adjacent the discharge portion thereof, and a spring clip secured between said last-named member and rear wall and having a portion disposed substantially in parallel relation to said opposite side wall for holding an implement for breaking the discharge portion of said ampoules. V

HAROLD S. FOOTE. 

